The rapid increase in the warehouse industry has brought up several controversies over the sector’s impact on people and the planet. The activities and processes carried out in the warehousing sector lead to the emission of different indoor and outdoor pollutants.
Studies have shown that exposure to these pollutants is harmful to human health. Warehouse air quality is poor because it has several toxic gases that emit due to diesel vehicles. Mold is also a common risk within a warehouse, specifically in areas with poor ventilation, which further becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.
The risk of carbon monoxide release is the most dangerous because it is fatal given its odorless and colorless nature.
Considering the current state of the warehouse industry, it has become a topic of interest for researchers and regulatory authorities. The improvement in the physical well-being of workers and the achievement of the sustainability agenda do not happen overnight; therefore, the management needs to know about critical triggers that increase warehouse pollution and degrade warehouse air quality. This way, they will be better able to decrease the detrimental effects of warehouse pollution.
Sources of Air Pollution in Warehouses
Both indoor and outdoor pollutants degrade warehouse indoor air quality. The more the warehousing sector expands, the higher the chances of workers’ exposure to pollution.
Consequently, businesses face sick leaves and high absenteeism rates, causing a loss in production and profitability.
Outdoor Pollutants
Diesel trucks cause harmful pollution. There are about a hundred truck trips to and from a warehouse. They emit toxic gases, such as carbon dioxide, lead and particulates, that hurt human health.
These toxins can cause various health issues, such as shortness of breath, child asthma, strokes and heart diseases. Besides diesel trucks, another outdoor pollutant emits due to high energy consumption within warehouses.
The more the warehouse sector expands, the higher the energy consumption is, and the more the emissions of CO2 will be.
Indoor Pollutants
Diesel vehicles, forklifts and loading docks release carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. Moreover, mold growth due to poor ventilation and high humidity areas is also toxic and degrades indoor air quality rapidly.
The most common processes and activities, such as manufacturing, storing and material handling, emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can cause severe health problems.
What’s the Solution?
Maintenance of Forklifts and Loading Docks
Ensure that the forklifts you are using do not release a massive amount of exhaust fumes. Implement quarterly testing cycles to detect repair issues, leakage and wear and tear of engines.
A small leakage of carbon monoxide will eventually become significant, causing havoc in the warehouse and detrimental effects on employee health.
Installation of Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide Monitors
Carbon monoxide monitors identify the leakage of gas and alert business owners of any unusual build-up of the gas in the environment. There are several brands on the market that feature automatic sensors and measurement accuracy for precise readings.
The deployment of carbon monoxide is crucial for the management, as it allows adaptability to take immediate action. Similarly, carbon dioxide monitors, like Euromate’s Air-box, are also available to detect higher concentrations of carbon dioxide in the environment.
Deployment of Air Purifiers
Air filters are one of the many solutions to minimize the detrimental effects of warehouse pollution on indoor air quality and human health.
Air purifiers, like Euromate’s, come with HEPA and carbon filters to eliminate contaminants from the environment and remove toxic gases and odours with maximum efficiency.
For more information on our commercial air purifiers for warehouses, reach out today.